Levison Wood

Lev Wood

Levison Wood

Levison Wood is a full time expedition planner, writer and photographer. He set off on his travels at the age of eighteen and has been on the road ever since. Whilst studying a degree in history, Lev hitchhiked around the Middle East including a war-torn Iraq and Palestine. After finishing his studies Lev thumbed his way across the world yet again, this time to India via Russia, the Caucasus, Iran and Afghanistan. Lev spent several years as an officer in the Parachute Regiment where he saw active service on the Battlefields of Afghanistan in 2008. Whilst in the army he led several large expeditions including jungle trekking in Colombia, diving in Thailand and mountaineering in the Nepal Himalayas. Since then Lev has undertaken a charity project to deliver ambulances to Malawi, one of the poorest countries on earth, by driving them overland from London. He has travelled and worked in over 70 countries across the world and now runs www.secretcompass.com.

Most people don’t associate Sudan with tourism, or would ever consider going there on holiday. In fact, few people have heard little about the divided nation except stories of tribal violence and the ongoing crisis in Darfur. But since the recent referendum that voted overwhelmingly in favour of secession, the world’s newest country will be created on July 9th, and with it, whole range of opportunities. Travel writer and photojournalist Levison Wood explains his reasons for visiting the soon-to-be Republic of South Sudan, prior to its independence and what it can offer the intrepid traveller. “We couldn’t even drink beer here until 2005” says Charles, a beaming Dinka tribesman from Juba, the dusty capital of this former rebel stronghold. “Sharia law, imposed by Khartoum, meant t... read more

It has taken Ethiopia a long time to shake off its international image as a nation blighted by famine, pestilence and civil war. In 1985 Bob Geldof and his gang of activists raised awareness of mass starvation in the horn of Africa with the famous Band Aid concert which went a long way to generating support and money for the people in need. An inevitable consequence of this though has been to brand Ethiopia as a symbol of despair. When I visited the African country last summer I expected the worst; bloated children, emaciated old women and fly-ridden cattle, basically a tear jerking collection of skin and bones. What I encountered was a totally different experience. Driving through the highlands of Ethiopia I was totally unprepared for the sheer greenery and abundance of beauty. Long grass ... read more